Rocket Man out of KrisFlyer International Sprint Singapore Turf Club 15/05/2012 Singapore’s champion sprinter Rocket Man has been withdrawn from the $1 million Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on Sunday. Trainer Pat Shaw and owner Fred Crabbia made the decision to err on the side of caution after the six-year-old succumbed to a ligament strain to his near foreleg. Singapore Turf Club veterinary surgeon Dr Curry Keoughan said Rocket Man had a swollen left front medial suspensory ligament. Rocket Man had been under an injury cloud with a mild strain after running second in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 31, but Shaw was able to get him to the post to land a fourth consecutive Group 1 Lion City Cup on April 29. Shaw described it as a “sporting injury” and likened it to an athlete who runs so fast that they over-reach. “It’s like twisting an ankle,” said Shaw. “All it needs is rest and he will get over it. “If we were to press on it could cause long term damage or even worse irreparable damage and that was not a risk I could take and remember he has a screw in the other leg as well. “He can have a good rest now and we will get him back up for his next campaign.” As a three-year-old Rocket Man suffered a condylar fracture to the offside cannon bone that kept him sidelined for eight months. Shaw said that Rocket Man was sound while walking on the leg but the swelling had just got worse in recent weeks. Rocket Man was looking for a repeat victory in the KrisFlyer after scoring a breakthrough win last year at his third attempt. ​